Published 17 days ago
Oluwatomisin Amokeoja
, Journalist
African music lovers from Nigeria and the diaspora on the current soundtrack defining global culture
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony on Thursday in Mexico City will feature some of the biggest names in global music, including Nigerian superstar Burna Boy and Colombian singer Shakira, in a showcase that supports the growing influence of African artistes on the world’s largest sporting stage
FIFA said Burna Boy and Shakira will perform Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 World Cup, during a ceremony scheduled to begin 90 minutes before kickoff of the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa
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The performance is being staged in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million by the end of the tournament to expand access to education and football opportunities for children worldwide
Darey Art Alade, the Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Nigeria-based integrated creative company Livespot, says the moment signals a broader shift in global culture
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“Burna Boy standing on a World Cup stage is not just about representation; it is about ownership of influence. African music has become one of the most important cultural languages in the world,” he says to FORBES AFRICA
The opening ceremony will also feature South African singer Tyla alongside a lineup that includes Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules and Maná
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A day before the opening ceremony, Nigerian singer Davido is scheduled to perform at FIFA’s Countdown Concert at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles alongside Ava Max, BIA and Major Lazer
Dr Drew Uyi, a FIFA-licensed football agent and brand strategist, says the visibility generated by the World Cup could create lasting opportunities for African creatives and businesses
“It strengthens Africa’s connection to global audiences, opens new commercial opportunities and inspires a new generation of creatives to see that their talent can compete and thrive at the highest level,” he says to FORBES AFRICA
African artistes are also prominently represented on the official FIFA World Cup 2026 album, an 18-track project that FIFA describes as the most extensive music collaboration in the tournament’s history
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The album includes Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Ayra Starr and Tyla, as well as Stormzy, the British rapper of Ghanaian heritage, and Moroccan-American rapper French Montana
Dr Adesegun Adeosun Jnr, widely known as King Smade, founder of global cultural and entertainment organization SMADE Group and Co-founder of the annual three-day music festival Afro Nation, says to FORBES AFRICA that the inclusion of African artistes in the opening ceremony and official World Cup album demonstrates that African music has become a permanent part of the global mainstream
“Fans will experience many of the tracks live during the Countdown Concert in Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles, as well as the opening ceremonies in Mexico, Canada and the United States,” FIFA said in a statement
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Africans in the diaspora point to the symbolic impact
Ada Onianwah, radio host and creator of Ada’s Room, Canada’s commercial radio program dedicated exclusively to Afrobeats, says the World Cup appearances illustrate how African culture has become an integral part of mainstream global entertainment
“African music isn’t having a moment. It’s shaping global culture,” she says to FORBES AFRICA
That sentiment was echoed by Oluchukwu Umunnakwe, Founder of United Kingdom (U.K.)-based diversified organization DNC Group, who describes the development as evidence that African identity is increasingly viewed as an advantage rather than a limitation in international creative industries
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Isaac Ansah, Co-founder of African Fashion Week Toronto, calls the World Cup platform further confirmation of Africa’s role as a cultural powerhouse, while Erika Enyolu, a public relations executive and Founder of Canada-based PR Diva TV, says the significance lies in the fact that such achievements are becoming expected rather than exceptional
“There was a time when African artistes were fighting for recognition outside their home markets. Today, they are helping define the soundtrack of global culture,” she says to FORBES AFRICA
The prominence of African performers comes as the continent is expected to have a significant presence on the field as well
Ten African nations are set to compete in the tournament, including South Africa, which will face host nation Mexico in the opening match. Other African participants include Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Cape Verde, Egypt, Senegal, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ghana
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Related Topics:#Africa, #Featured, #News Letter, #newsletter, #Nigeria, #South Africa.
